Gov. Robert Bentley faces a tough political test as he seeks to revise Alabama's immigration law. (The Birmingham News / Michelle Campbell)

To repair or to replace?

That simple question captures the complex political quandary facing Gov. Robert Bentley as he grapples with the state's tough new immigration law.

On the left is a coalition of Democratic lawmakers who say the law is an abomination and that it must be repealed. On the right is a band of conservative Republicans who insist that the law is working and that they will block anything more than minor changes.

The battle lines are being drawn as lawmakers prepare for the upcoming legislative session, which opens on Feb. 7.

For Bentley, 68, a Tuscaloosa Republican who is nearing the end of his first year in office, the dispute represents the biggest political test of administration so far, and a potential defining moment for Alabama's new GOP majority.

Bentley, joined by Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard and Senate President Del Marsh, announced Dec. 9 that they would work together to revise a law that has been a source of unrelenting controversy since it took effect in September.

The shift was significant, given that Bentley made immigration reform one of his campaign planks, signed the bill into law and defended it staunchly against its detractors. He bowed only after a series of legal setbacks, public protests and the embarrassing arrest of a Mercedes-Benz executive from Germany.

"We recognize that changes are needed to ensure that Alabama has not only the nation's most effective law, but one that is fair and just," Bentley said in a joint statement with Hubbard and Marsh.

Since then, momentum for changing the law has slackened. Supporters of the bill hailed a new report showing a decline in state unemployment as proof that the law is effective, and Bentley's promise to "tweak" its language has cooled some of the opposition.

The challenge facing Bentley, Hubbard and Marsh is to change the law enough to satisfy the courts, quiet the critics and restore relationships with the state's foreign business partners. At the same time, they hope to maintain the law enough to appease conservative voters, save political face and avoid a revolt within the GOP caucus.

It may be an impossible task. Interviews with a range of lawmakers reveal deep divisions over how — or even if — the law should be revised, and an intense, behind-the-scenes lobbying effort to rally support for and against the changes.

A group of 12 Democratic senators said they have formed a voting block intent on repealing the law, and starting over with new legislation.

State Sen. Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, said his vote in favor of the law was the worst he'd made in a 30-year career in the legislature. He said lawmakers should admit they made a mistake and get busy correcting it.

"This law has become symbolic of everything bad about Alabama, and you can't remove a symbol by 'tweaking' it. You have to take it down," Bedford said. "Unfortunately, I don't think the Republicans have the political courage to do it, and they're looking to us to help bail them out."

In response, a group of 12 Republican senators signed a letter to Bentley expressing "unwavering support" for the immigration law.

The senators, including the bill's sponsor, Scott Beason of Gardendale, said they were open to "some administrative clarification" to the law, but that "we remain steadfast in upholding (its) original spirit and intent."

Alabama Sen. Bill Holtzclaw (Robin Conn / The Huntsville Times)

The Dec. 6 letter was initiated by state Sen. Bill Holtzclaw, R-Madison, who said he would oppose even changes recommended by Luther Strange, the state's Republican attorney general.

"I respect his opinion, but we debated this bill, passed it and Governor Bentley had the courage to sign it into law," Holtzclaw said. "We're going to stand firm with the governor as he defends it from these attacks. And I believe the majority of Alabamians are behind us."

With 21 votes needed to cut off debate, opponents currently do not have the votes they need to repeal the bill. And Holtzclaw said he believes he can win over the two additional votes he needs to block any attempt at substantive changes.

"We'll see what happens, but nobody has yet shown me a good reason to change it," he said.

In the middle is a group of 10 Republicans — plus one independent — who said they believe that reasonable changes can be accomplished.

"The extreme rhetoric on both sides is not helpful," said state Sen. Bryan Taylor, R-Prattville. "We need to have an intelligent conversation about what we want the law to be, and then go make those provisions. But if we end up in a loud debate over the process, that's going to make it very difficult to move forward."